Freedom of Information
The Municipality of East Hants is transparent and accountable in relation to access to information. Browse the information below to learn more about Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy.
As a public body, the Municipality of East Hants is subject to the Government of Nova Scotia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The Municipal Government Act which provides authority for most of the activities and operations of municipal government in Nova Scotia. It also contains provisions relating to FOIPOP in Part XX.
These pieces of legislation ensure that the Municipality is transparent and accountable, while protecting individual privacy rights and personal information.
Everyone has a right of access to most recorded information held by the Municipality, but certain exemptions do apply.
The Municipality has to protect all personal information, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc. Legislation also prevents the Municipality from releasing:
- Information that could reasonably be expected to harm intermunicipal or intergovernmental relations or reveal information provided by other governments in confidence, unless there is consent
- Information that could reasonably be expected to harm the financial and economic interests of the Municipality, another municipality or the Province
- Information related to certain labour relations mediation or conciliation proceedings
- Information subject to solicitor-client privilege
- Information that could significantly harm a third party’s business interests
- Information that could harm law enforcement
- Information that could harm the economic or financial interests of a public body, individuals or the public
Residents can request their personal records and can update or correct their personal information.
Please contact the Chief Administrative Office for more information on how to access information at info@easthants.ca.
When making a formal Freedom of Information request, please follow these steps:
- Make the request in writing through the FOIPOP Application available below
- Specify the information requested
- Be accompanied by the $5 application fee
When making a request, please try to be as specific as possible about the information you are seeking in order to avoid delays in processing.
The cost of a Freedom of Information request is $5.
Depending upon the nature of the request, additional charges may apply. If the request requires additional fees, an estimate will be provided to the applicant who must either pay the charges in advance or make an application for the charges to be waived.
If a fee estimate has been provided, the 30 day timeline stops until the fee structure has been agreed upon.
Fees are not charged for the applicants own information.
When the Municipality receives your request, a notice of receipt will be provided.
There are three types of responses you might get from the Municipality once a decision has been made about the request:
- Access in full: you are getting everything that you have requested
- Access in part: some of the information requested will be provided
- Withheld in full: none of the information requested will be disclosed
Responses are normally provided within 30 days of receipt of the request.
If access to your request is denied or you disagree with the response provided, you have the right to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia (1-888-243-1564) to request a review of the Municipality’s decision.
You must request this review within 60 days of the decisions. There is no charge for the review.
To make a Freedom of Information Request, complete the application and submit by mail, fax or email with the appropriate fee included.
